Lyft Now Requiring Additional Identification For Those Who Use Anonymous Payment

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Lyft on Tuesday announced a new safety feature for drivers that requires additional identification for those using anonymous payment methods.

According to the ride-sharing company, the new safety feature, which has been implemented in Minneapolis and elswhere, is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance driver safety.

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A Lyft representative says riders who set up a Lyft account using an anonymous form of payment -- like prepaid cards, Venmo or Paypal -- are now required to provide additional identification before riding with Lyft. The anonymous form of payment has been more frequently linked to fraud and other high-risk behavior.

Other safety features previously implemented for drivers include emergency help supported by ADT, real-time ride tracking, and smart trip check-in if a trip appears irregular.

Lyft says it is also working with law enforcement, including the Minneapolis Police Department, to address safety concerns.

In October, a crime alert was pushed out for Minneapolis after multiple rideshare drivers were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint. Police say since mid-August, more than 40 Uber and Lyft drives have been robbed or carjacked with 12 in just the last seven days.